Warm Eggplant Salad With Walnuts Food

TURKISH EGGPLANT & PEPPER SALAD WITH WALNUTS & YOGURT

Steps:

• Wrap eggplant in a double layer of aluminum foil, sealing the package well. Set package directly over a medium gas flame or a charcoal fire, turning occasionally until eggplant is tender, about 25 minutes. You can also bake the eggplant unwrapped on a baking sheet in a moderately hot oven, about 400 degrees, pricking it first to prevent bursting, but it will not have the desirable smoky taste.
• Carefully unwrap the foil package, and when eggplant is cool enough to handle, remove the charred black skin. Scrape flesh into a bowl and add cold water to cover. Add lemon juice and let stand 30 minutes to keep the eggplant from darkening. Drain eggplant and squeeze dry.
• Over a gas flame or charcoal fire, or under a broiler, cook green pepper and chile until blackened and blistered all over. Set aside until cool enough to handle. Remove the skins, ribs and seeds. Mince the green pepper and chile.
• Put the eggplant, green pepper, chile and garlic in a mortar and pound to a paste. Alternatively, mince to a paste by hand. Stir in the olive oil, walnuts and yogurt. Season to taste with salt, pepper and wine vinegar. Let stand at room temperature for a couple of hours to blend flavors, or refrigerate for longer keeping.
• Makes 2-2 1/2 cups.

ROAST EGGPLANT WITH WALNUTS

Steps:

• Pierce the eggplants with a sharp fork in two or three places (to keep them from exploding) and place them as high as you can on a V-rack roaster. Set over a medium-low gas flame or over hot coals and grill, turning about three times, 15 minutes to a side, or until completely soft and the skin is black and blistery, about 45 minutes total. The longer and slower the grilling, the creamier the eggplant will be. When the eggplants collapse, remove from the grill and let cool slightly. Remove the black parched skin, then squeeze gently to remove any juices. Discard the juices, and crush the pulp to a puree with a fork.
• Meanwhile, grill the pepper. Remove the pepper when soft, cover with a sheet of plastic and allow to cool. Core, seed and slip off the skin. Chop fine and mix with the eggplant.
• Mash the garlic to a paste with half the walnuts and the salt in a mortar and pestle or food processor. Add the cheese, oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper, and pulse to combine.
• In a serving bowl, combine the garlic-walnut mixture with the eggplant-pepper pulp and mix well. Correct the seasoning. Mix the parsley and remaining walnuts and sprinkle on top. Serve with pita toasted until crisp. May be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for several days.

WARM EGGPLANT SALAD WITH SESAME AND SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Cut off stems of eggplant and cut in half lengthwise. Soak in cold water 5 minutes, drain and pat dry. Arrange on a microwave-safe plate, cover with plastic wrap and cook until softened and tender (3-6 minutes). Let stand a few minutes to finish cooking. Or steam eggplant 5-7 minutes or until limp and tender.
• In a bowl combine sugar, soy sauce, sake (or sherry), vinegar, sesame seeds and sesame paste (or peanut butter).
• Cut (skinned if desired) eggplant into strips about 1/2 inch wide and 3 inches long. A handful at a time, wrap strips in paper towels and squeeze to get rid of extra water. Mound on serving plate.
• Drizzle sauce over eggplant, and scatter myoga (or shallots) and shiso (or herbs) on top. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• For Vegan if using Sake make sure the Sake is Vegan friendly.